Volume 43: January 1-March 15, 1697 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 2, 1697-1702. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

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'Volume 43: January 1-March 15, 1697', in Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 2, 1697-1702, ed. Joseph Redington( London, 1871), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-papers/vol2/pp1-18 [accessed 24 November 2024].

January 1–March 15, 1697


	WILLIAM THE THIRD.

[? 1696 or 1697.]	1. “The case of Elizabeth Havering, widow, the relict and executrix of James Havering, deceased, against the pretences of any that shall claime right to three certain bills now depending in the Transport Office;” praying examination, &c. to be made. James Havering, at the request of Matthew Sutcliffe, who was lately chief clerk of the Com^rs for Transports, sold to John Aldred, merchant, bills for 900 odd pounds at 55 per cent. loss. Havering was, together with Sutcliffe, bound to Aldred, since which the latter had forged and absconded. The Com^rs refused to make out debentures to Aldred, but said they would make them out to Captain Bendall, &c. Bendall acknowledged the reception of 700l. out of the 900 odd pounds. Undated, but by comparison with petition in Vol. XXXVI., No. 21, probably 1696 or 1697. 1 page.
[? 1696 or 1697.]	2. Petition to the King of Thomas Carter, second serjeant-at-arms in Ireland. He had served in that capacity since the reduction of that kingdom; his salary was but 50l., though heretofore it was 100l. per ann., as was that of other serjeants; he had been zealous for His Majesty both at Londonderry and after the Kings arrival in Ireland, and had suffered considerably by the late calamities; prays that his salary might be raised to what it was formerly. Undated, but perhaps the end of 1696 or beginning of 1697, by comparison with the papers under date 24 Feb. 1696–7. 1 page (quarto).
[? Beginning of 1697.]	3. Petition of David Williams, gent., to the King. He had presented a previous petition for some recompense for his ancestor's loyalty and service to King Charles the Second; prays that it might be read, and an order made for his “gratification.” Undated, but probably the beginning of 1697; compare with Vol. XLI., No. 53, and XLII., No. 42. 1 page.
[? 1694–7.]	4. Petition of the [minister], churchwardens, and overseers of the parish of St. Mary, Newington Butts, in Surrey, (whose names are subscribed,) to the King, on behalf of the poor there. The parish was filled with extremely poor mechanics; they pray for some of the bounty money in specie. Certificate at the foot, of the poverty of the parish, signed Ant. Bowyer. Undated, but the petition is to His Majesty, and the present war is mentioned, so that it is between 1694 and 1697. They do not appear to have received anything on their petition, and are not noticed in the Money Book, Letter Book, or Minute Books. 1 page.
[? 1696 or 1697.]	5. Petition of Morgan Jones to the Lords of the Treasury, for a letter to be sent from their Lordships to the Com^rs of Customs, requiring them, pursuant to their Lordships' former order, to make speedy provision for his support till there was a vacancy of a land carriage man's place in the port of London. A testimonial in his favour, signed by divers Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace in the county of Carmarthen, stating that he was discharged from being tide-waiter in the port of Dublin for being a Protestant, &c. Dated 20 October 1695. Also copy of a former minute in his favour. Dated 19 March 1695. 2½ pages.
Jan. 1.	6. Petition of Major Thomas Hawley, late chief porter and major of the Tower of London. He had served for many years in those offices during the reigns of Kings Charles II. and James II., and continued therein since the Revolution, and was eminently instrumental at that time in securing the Tower for the King by disarming the Papists then in garrison there; at the breaking out of the late horrid conspiracy against the King's person and government, some one had maliciously whispered something against him, and he was sent from his house in the Tower to Sir William Trumble without any warrant, and continued in custody 11 weeks; begs to be heard before the King in Council. The hard usage he had received had occasioned him to part with his places, there being an arrear of 740^li due to him; implores an order for the payment of the arrears, or a grant of the next vacancy of a waiter at the Custom house, with a pension of 60l. per ann. until the place falls vacant. Undated, but referred 1 Jan. 1696. Reports of Lord Romney, the Com^rs of Ordnance, and two other papers respecting his claims. The last Minute is:—“Read to y^e King, 18 July '98. Not granted.” 4 pages and 2 halves.
Jan. 1.	7. Report of Lord Ranelagh to the Lords of the Treasury, on the account of Mr. Lambe, relating to the hospitals in the Low Countries during the last campaign. The charge of the same amounted to 22,304l. 10s. 1½d. Leaving it to their Lordships, if they thought fit, to pay the balance, viz., 2,933l. 6s. 11½d. Dated 1 Jan. 1696–7. Also the account. Minuted:—“A łre to M^r Blathwaite to prepare a warr^t for the ballance. Read 22 Feb. '96. My Lords cannot allow any disco^t for y^e ballance, because it was made by a previous allowance of disc^t.” 3 pages.
Jan. 7.	8. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting the case of Captain Henry Rice, with the reports thereon of the Com^rs of Revenue and the Solicitor-General; respecting certain lands forfeited by Walter Coppinger in the last rebellion, and then held in custodiam by the petitioner, &c. Dated 7 Jan. 1696–7. Accompanied by the report of the Com^rs of Revenue and divers other papers. The letter is minuted:—“16 Ap. '97. Rejected.” 13 pages.
[? About Jan. 7.]	9. Letter from Mr. Geo. Evans, controller of the mint at York, to Tobias Jenkins, Esq., a member of Parliament at Westminster, in reference to the assertion that had been made at York that when Mr. Alderman Gill went to Mr. Alderman Parrat's office to demand money “in course,” one Sarney Harrison had declared that there was no money in the mint; showing the falseness of the assertion, and that he had posted up in the market-place at York that there were 5,500l. in the said mint. Accompanied by a copy of what was posted up. Dated 7 Jan. 1696. 3 pages.
Jan. 11.	10. Letter by direction of the Lords of the Admiralty to Mr. Lownds, secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, forwarding two letters from the Com^rs of Victualling, touching the want of provisions for the Mermaid, the Winchelsea, and the Ruby, the want of money, &c. They calculated there were 3,207 men for foreign voyages in 20 ships, several of which had been victualled, but they could not carry out their Lordships' orders without money. Dated 11 Jan. '96. 3 pages.
Jan. 12.	11. Letter from Mr. Francis Riggs to William Lowndes, Esq., secretary to the Treasury, earnestly entreating him to move the Lords of the Treasury to order the fifth part of what remained due for the stores delivered to the Navy yards, viz. 3,742l. 6s. 2½d., which stores were to have been paid for on their arrival; his necessities to answer bills of exchange were very great. He was sensible of the straights the Government lay under, and if he could not have ready money, begged for tallies, &c. Dated 12 Jan. 1696–7. 1 page.
Jan. 12.	12. Letter of the Officers of Ordnance to the Lords of the Treasury, reminding them of the ill consequences that would happen if the fleet should be obliged to continue in harbour for want of stores, expressing the hope that they would take some consideration of the train in Flanders, and not let so necessary a part of the army starve; they had received orders of Council for sending four engineers and a master gunner to the plantations, the charge of which would be 1,500l., which service must stand still without money. They had received orders of Council for sending the stores, to the value of 3,167l. 17s. 3¼d., referred to in the annexed paper, to New York and Barbadoes; desiring to be reimbursed. Dated 12 Jan. 1696. Also the said estimate. Minuted:—“Read 12 Jan^y '96.” On that day the following is entered in the Minute Book, Vol. VII., p. 57:—“Officers of Ordnance cald in, their mem^ll is read. They demand 8,000^li for ye Fleet & 1,500^li for 4 engineers for the West Indies & 4,000^li to induce S^r Jos. Herne to give further credit for the trayne in Fland^rs, & m^o for other necessary uses. My Lords direct they shall have 20,000l. tallys on the vote of credit, ½ of it for land service, th'other half for sea service.” 3 pages and 2 halves.
Jan. 13.	13. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Daniel Lyons, merchant, as to certain goods imported by the last convoy from Rotterdam, wrongly entered. Dated 13 Jan. 1696–7. Also the petition and another paper. Minuted:—“Agreed.” 5½ pages.
Jan. 15.	14. Letter from Thomas Neale, Master of the Mint, to the Lords of the Treasury, stating the necessity there was of inspecting the hammered money, and that people must have honesty and skill who were employed therein; that rooms were wanting at the Tower to inspect the money, as it was impossible for the Tower mills to dispatch above 300,000l., but if supplied with silver ingots they could coin 100,000l. weekly; that the business might be more easily dispatched for the public service, if the money were first lodged at the Exchequer, weighed, and inspected; as to the money to be taken in by weight, in the country, he was apprehensive the charge, waste, and “worseness,” would come to much more by the additional persons, than if some were sent hence, &c. Dated 15 Jan. 1696. With this note by Mr. Isaac Newton.—“I have seen this proposal & believe that if good bargains be made for ye country mints, it will be for His Ma^ties service.” 3 pages.
Jan. 16.	15. Letter signed B. Homrigh [to the Lords of the Treasury]. He expected to be elected Lord Mayor of Dublin; craves the King's permission to accept the same in addition to his duty in the affairs of revenue. Dated 16 Jan. 1696–7. Minuted:—“My Lords approve.” 1 page (quarto).
Jan. 18.	16. Letter of John Drysdell, addressed to Sir John Foche, Knt., at the Excise Office, London, as to what Mr. Thomas Everard, the principal General Surveyor of the London Brewery, told him respecting the officer at Dertford, who collected a mob to rejoice on the report of the death of the King in Flanders, and the coming over of King James. Dated 18 Jan. 1696. Minuted:—“Read 10 9br. '97.” In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII. p. 43, for that day, is a detailed account of proceedings, in relation to Sir John Foche, about whom, Mr. Danvers, and Mr. Everard, there was a controversy. 1 page.
Jan. 19.	17. Letter of the Officers of Ordnance to the Hon. Charles Bertie, Esq., Treasurer of Ordnance, sending the representation to the Treasury, relating to the 200 barrels of powder lately sent from Chester to Dublin, for the service of Ireland: desiring him to solicit their Lordships for the money for the same: referring also to the stores for New York and Barbadoes. Dated 19 Jan. 1696. Also the represention and copy of the order in Council. 3 pages.
Jan. 23.	18. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, as to a seizure made by officers of the customs at Liverpool of some provisions, laden on board merchant ships, intended for the victualling of the King's ship, the Dovor, prize, in her voyage to Virginia. Dated 23 Jan. 1696–7. Also the report of the Com^rs of Victualling, and other papers relating thereto. 8 pages.
Jan. 26.	19. Letter dated at Dublin, signed Wm. Wolseley, addressed to Mr. Powis, returning thanks for his care in his (Mr. Wolseley's) business and desiring him to employ Sir Thos. Powis, if there was occasion for a Counsel. His opinion was a caveat should be entered. Dated 26 Jan. 1696. 1 page (quarto).
Jan. 26.	20. Memorial of Mr. Charles Fox to the Lords of the Treasury, as to striking tallies for 25,000l. to exchange for Exchequer notes; directions must be given for passing a new privy seal if their Lordships direct the payment of any further sums; seeking their Lordships' directions concerning Mr. Wooley, who insisted on having 2,100l. which was assigned to him, and as to 1,100l. to another person. Dated 26 Jan. 1696. Minuted:—“Read 29 Jan. '96.” “Tallys to be struck for the sumes w^thin mentioned besides the 25,000l.” 1 page.
Jan. 26.	21. Proposal addressed to Mr. Lowndes by John Norton, that an impost should be laid on all deal boards and timber exported from Norway and a duty on foreign iron and steel. Dated Jan. 26 [the year blank], but perhaps 1696–7, as it is most likely after Lowndes was appointed Secretary to the Treasury (1695), and before the termination of the war (1697). 1 page (quarto).
Jan. 27.	22. Report of Nicholas Baker, Esq., to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Nathaniel Crow and Benjamin Pordage, presented to the King, praying him to grant to them the estates real and personal of Arthur Mangey, Robert Child, and John Hurst, who had been executed for counterfeiting the King's coin. He was unable to ascertain the value of the estates. Dated 27 Jan. 1696. Also the petition. Minuted:—“To lay this before ye K. & represent the case of ye widd. & children of Mangy.” 2 pages.
Jan. 28.	23. Representation of the Com^rs of the Revenue and Forfeitures in Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury. Since the King had committed the management of the forfeitures to them, they had used their utmost diligence to get in the arrears of forfeitures: laying the state of the arrears before their Lordships, together with copies of various papers relating thereto for their directions. Dated 28 Jan. 1696. 12 pages.
Jan. 29.	24. Memorial of the Com^rs of Sick and Wounded Seamen to the Lords of the Treasury, repeating the hardships they laboured under, to discharge their trust, in consequence of the inhabitants of Plymouth and Harwich having denied the miserable sick seamen relief and lodging, on account of the arrears due for quarters. Other ports threatening to do the like. Dated 29 Jan. 1696–7. 1½ pages.
Feb. 3.	25. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring they will lay the case of the judges (who had petitioned for 200l. a year to be added to their pay) before His Majesty. Dated 3 Feb. 1696–7. Three other papers, including their petition relating thereto. Minuted:—“14 Ap. '97. Respited.” “Add^ll allowance of 200^li per ann. to each of the Justices in Ireland. His Ma^ty dos approve of, and is pleased to order, that the said addition be left to the Lords Justices of Ireland, to take place and comence at such time as their Ex^cys shall think fitt.” In the Minute Book, Vol. VII., p. 118, 14 Apr. 1697, is:—“Petition of the judges to be respited.” 6 pages.
Feb. 4.	26. Order in Council granting one moiety of the pension of 300l. per ann., which had been granted to Lieut.-Col. Vaughan out of the profits of the Royal Oak lottery, to his wife and children, he having forsaken them, and left them in a starving condition. Dated 4 Feb. 1696. Minuted:—“A w^t to the farm^r not to make any further paym^t on this pension, till the coll^o hath assignd a moyety therof to the use of his wife.” 1 page.
Feb. 4.	27. Letter of Mr. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Lowndes, sending notice to the Lords of the Treasury that the King had given orders for the troops of dragoons at Ashford to march to Lidd, Romney, Hith, and Folkston, to assist the officers of Customs and civil magistrates against the wool stealers, and in opposing the French on that coast. Dated Whitehall, 4 Feb. 1696–7. 1 page (quarto).
Feb. 4.	28. Letter to the secretary of the Lords of the Treasury, docquetted:—“From y^e Admiralty ab^t an ord^r to y^e Custome ho. officers to have cert^s from ma^rs of merch^t ships, of their having paid y^e 6^d before they clear them” [i.e. the 6d. a month for Greenwich hospital]. Dated 4 Feb. '96–7. Also extract from a letter from the Com^rs of the Register Office thereon. 2 pages.
Feb. 4.	29. Letter of Chas. Bertie, Esq., Treasurer of the Ordnance, to the Lords of the Treasury, pressing for assignments to be made to the Board of Ordnance in proportion to what was allowed to the Navy. Their arrears were 220,000l. in the last year, and they had received but 20,000l. on this year's account, &c. Dated 4 Feb. 1696–7. 2 pages (quarto).
Feb. 5.	30. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting the report of the Com^rs of the Revenue of Ireland to the said Lords Justices, on the petition of Dr. John Leslie as to the quantity and yearly value of the forfeited estates desired by the petitioner. The estates to which it relates are those of Lord Clare, Lord Galmoy, Christopher Dillon, James Talbot, &c. Dated 5 Feb. 1696. The said report, dated 29 Jan. 1696. Report of the Auditor-General thereon, with schedule of the lands and the letter of the Lords Justices directing the report to be made. Letter of the Lords Justices sending the copy of the petition of Dr. John Leslie to the Com^rs for the Revenue. The petition showing that the petitioner fortified his house near Sligo as a frontier garrison, and performed various other services, for which the rebels destroyed his property to the value of 10,000l. Letter of the Lords of the Treasury to the Lords Justices of Ireland, sending a schedule of the lands, &c. desired by him. Also copy of a memorial and two other letters on behalf of the petitioner. Minuted:—“16 Ap. '97. The K. will grant him 400^li a year out of these lands, during his life.” 18 pages and 3 halves.
Feb. 5.	31. Letter of the Navy Board to the Hon. Edw. Russell, Treasurer of the Navy, praying him to acquaint the Lords of the Treasury that 30,000l. was wanting for bills of exchange and imprests. Dated 5 Feb. '96. 1 page.
Feb. 6.	32. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to Mr. Secretary Trumbull, concerning the claims of Mr. Thomas Tilson, clerk to the Irish House of Commons, recommending that the King should take away his annuity of 60l. per ann., and grant him an equivalent, together with such a mark of his favour out of the forfeited lands desired by him, as the King thought fit. Dated 6 Feb. 1696–7. Also the petition of Tilson, the report of the Attorney-General, and other papers. The petition is minuted:—“16 Ap. 97. Rejected.” 11 pages.
Feb. 6.	33. Letter of the Lord Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of John Percivall, Esq., to the King; praying a custodiam of certain lands discovered by him and of no profit to the King in the county of Meath, in consideration of 1,050l. 7s. 3d. stated to be due to him as Governor of the hospitals formerly in Ireland. They state that the value of all the lands desired was 80l. 0s. 8d. per ann. Dated Dublin Castle, 6 Feb. 1696. Minuted:—“16 Ap. '97. Rejected.” 4 pages and 2 halves.
Feb. 6.	34. Letter signed Fra. Lynn, stating that the chief officers of the army had made a representation to the King, as to the hardship of stopping 50l. per ann. out of Major Lower's pay, as an allowance to his wife, desiring that His Majesty's pleasure may be known. Dated 6 Feb. 1696. Petition of Barbara Lower, wife to Major William Lower, of Brigadier Fairfax's regiment, as to the stoppage of the 50l. per ann. 2 pages.
Feb. 8.	35. Letter from the Board of Ordnance to the Lords of the Treasury; they had been obliged to dispose of the greatest part of the 20,000l. to pay the subsistence of the Flanders train and keep the contractors from starving, and the remainder had answered the most pressing occasions of the office; and without a considerable supply they could not fit out the fleet or the train in Flanders; further their officers were paid in tallies the last year, which could not be discounted under 30 per cent. Dated 8 Feb. 1696. In the Minute Book, Vol. VII., p. 91, 22 Feb. 1696, is:—“My Lord Ranelagh must assigne 10,000^li in tallys on ye land tax, to the Ordnance, for the service of ye train in Flanders: And when the office of Ordnance is supplyed w^th fonds, this 10,000^li is to be made good again to the Earl of Ranelagh, for the forces.” 1 page.
Feb. 16.	36. Copy of letter, signed Wm. Lowndes, to the Com^rs for the Revenue of Ireland, on the petition of Robert Ayleway, Esq., praying that such arrears of rent as were due, might be allowed him in part of 672l. 12s. 5d. owing to him from the Crown, on behalf of their Lordships ordering the respite of the same. Dated 16 Feb. 1696. Copies of four other documents and the said petition. The petition is minuted:—“14 Ap. 1697. Rejected.” 5 pages.
Feb. 16.	37. Letter from the Board of Ordnance to the Lords of the Treasury, as to supply of saltpetre by the East India Company, praying to be allowed at least 60,000l. to pay two quarters to the artificers, &c. Dated 16 Feb. 1696. In the Minute Book, Vol. VII., p. 104, 16 March 1696, is the following:—“Officers of Ordnance calld in, w^th some of the East Ind^a Comp^a, about 300 tons of peter, w^ch the comp^a has, am^ting to about 13 or 14,000^li at 45^li per tonn. The officers of the Ordnance are to view & take samples of it, & then my Lords will adjust ye paym^t.” 2 pages.
[About Feb. 16.]	38. Petition of Elizabeth Clerke, cousin-german and executrix of Phillip Warwick, Esq., deceased, addressed to the King, showing that her husband, who was employed in 1680 as envoy extraordinary from King Charles II., to the Crown of Sweden, died suddenly on his return when about to relate to the King the particulars of his negotiation; further showing what was due to him; praying the King to give directions to the Lords of the Treasury to cause tallies of pro or loan to be struck, upon the hereditary or temporary excise, for the sums due, amounting to above 4,000l. Also order referring it to the Lords of the Treasury on 16 Feb. 1696–7. Minuted:—“Read 22 Feb. '96. My Lords do know the matter of fact to be true, & will lay it before ye K.” “16 Ap. '97. To find some imploym^t for her husband.” “Read 23 June 1701. To be employed but no money.” 1½ pages.
Feb. 19.	39. Letter of Mr. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Lowndes. The King thought that the estimate of provisions for 1,000 men, transmitted to the Lords of the Treasury, should be increased for 1,700 men, as two regiments of foot were to go to Newfoundland, one of which was to go from Ireland. Dated 19 Feb. 1696–7. 1 page (quarto).
Feb. 19.	40. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Sir Thomas Cook as to the shipment of certain pepper for the Straights. Dated 19 Feb. 1696–7. Another paper relating thereto. There are three or four minutes on the dorse, one of which is:—“My Lords cannot give any relief in this case.” In the Minute Book, Vol. VII., p. 108, 22 March 1696, is a similar minute. 3¼ pages.
About Feb. 19.	41. Memorial of Rebecca Viscountess Falkland, relict of Anthony Viscount Falkland, late Treasurer of the Navy, praying their Lordships to sign a warrant discharging the manor of Great Few and other lands in Oxfordshire from any encumbrances that might arise by reason of her late Lord being Treasurer of the Navy, the countersigning of which warrant by their Lordships had been deferred until the accounts of Capt. Shales, who acted as paymaster, were passed. The memorial relates what had been done with the accounts. Also two certificates touching the same. Minuted:—“Read, 19 Feb. '96.” 2 pages.
Feb. 20.	42. Presentment by the principal Com^rs for Prizes to the Lords of the Treasury. They had appointed Mr. Francis Raworth as agent for prizes at Deal, Sandwich, Ramsgate, Margate, and other places within the district of Dover and Deal; but he did not reside in a proper place for the management of his agency; recommending Capt. John Rutter, an inhabitant of Ramsgate, as their agent at Ramsgate and Margate, at 30l. per ann. Dated 20 Feb. 1696. Minuted:—“Agreed. W^t signed 23 Feb. 1696.” 1 page.
Feb. 22.	43. “A certificate of new mony coind from hammer'd mony to the 22^th of February 1696–7.” Made to the Lords of the Treasury. 1 page.
Feb. 22.	44. Letter of the Navy Board to the Hon. Edw. Russell, Treasurer of the Navy, enclosing an estimate of the charge of building a new fifth-rate ship at Sheerness, desiring him to solicit the Lords of the Treasury for the money. Dated 22 Feb. '96. Also the estimate. 2 pages.
Feb. 22.	45. Report of Mr. S. Travers, Surveyor-General, to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of John Lansdown, Esq. He found the coal-works in the annexed petition, arising out of the waste ground or common called the Barrow, within the manor of Stratton-super-Foss (Somerset), parcel of the Duchy of Cornwall, were formerly granted by King Charles I., when Prince of Wales, to William Long and Hercules Horler in trust; he traces the coal-works through other lessees to Richard Lansdown, gent., the petitioner's father, who obtained a grant in reversion for 17 years, commencing 14 Aug. 1692; he advises that if their Lordships granted a further term to make up 31 years, as desired, it was reasonable that besides the rent of 13s. 4d. there should be also reserved a seventh (or such proportion as their Lordships pleased) of the profits out of the premises. He further found that Prince Henry, in James the First's reign, recovered the manor from the above Wm. Long, and that his son Lisleborn Long purchased the inheritance thereof in the late times, and lost it at the Restoration. On these considerations George Long, Esq., grandson of the said William, desired a new grant, which he left to their Lordships' judgment. Dated 22 Feb. 1696. Accompanied by the petition. 3 pages.
Feb. 23.	46. Letter by command of the Lords of the Admiralty, laying before the Lords of the Treasury, through Mr. Lowndes, the unhappy state of the Navy, for want of money; sending a copy of a letter received by them, showing, amongst other things, that some ships were four years in arrear and few less than two, and the yards nearly a year, &c. Dated 23 Feb. 1696–7. Enclosed is a copy of the letter from the Com^rs of the Navy, above referred to, in answer to their Lordships' order for 500l. to be impressed to each of the colonels of the marine regiments for subsistence. Dated 22 Feb. '96. 3 pages.
Feb. 23.	47. Letter by direction of the Lords of the Admiralty to Mr. Lowndes, sending an extract from a letter received by them from the Com^rs of Victualling as to the speedy supply of money. Dated 23 Feb. '96–7. 2 pages.
Feb. 23.	48. Presentment by the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury as to the salary of Mr. Thomas Trenwith, surveyor of the port of Falmouth and Penryn, in favour of 10l. per ann. additional. Minuted:—“Agreed.” 1 page.
Feb. 23.	49. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Stephen Seignoret to His Majesty, as to the remission of a fine set on him for importing French goods. Dated 23 Feb. 1696–7. Minuted:—“Dismist.” Six other papers relating thereto. 8½ pages.
Feb. 24.	50. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, in favour of Thomas Carter, serjeant-at-arms attending the State and the Lords House of Parliament, who had been recommended by the House for an increase of pay. Dated 24 Feb. 1696. Accompanied by (1), a petition from him. (2). An order from the House of Lords of 12 Dec. 1695, showing that his salary was but 50l. per ann.; that the serjeant's salary in the Parliament of 1666 was 100l. per ann., as had been and then was the salary of the serjeant of the Lower House; that he was obliged always to have three messengers and horses in readiness to execute orders and warrants; that in the last and present Parliament he was considerably out of pocket; that the petitioner served His Majesty at the siege of Londonderry and afterwards at the Boyne, and that he secured divers useful books and writings belonging to the late King and his secretaries, and he prayed their Lordships to recommend to the Lord Deputy that his salary might be equal to what it was in former time; the order is that the Earl of Mount-alexander, the Earl of Longford, and the Lord Bishop of Waterford, or any two of them, request the Lord Deputy to recommend the petitioner's case to His Majesty; and, (3.) The recommendation from the House. Minuted:—“Granted.” 3½ pages.
[? About Feb. 24.]	51. Petition of Anthony de Massanes, a French refugee. He paid into the Exchequer 100l. for the use of his son Anthony de Massanes, who was then serving in Piedmont, in the Duke of Schonberg's company, to receive 14 per cent., according to the Act; but his son was killed at the battle of “Marsaille” on 24 Sept., five days before that interest commenced; praying for repayment. In addition he had lost another son at the battle of Steinkirk, and his son-in-law, Mons. St. Auban, Lieut.-Colonel of Major-General La Meloniere's regiment, had been in the King's service from the beginning of the war. Minuted:—“24 Feb.'96. The K. orders this 100^li to be rep^d when there is m^o.” 1 page.
[About Feb. 26.]	52. Petition of John Mackie, coast surveyor of Harwich. Their Lordships had referred his former petition to the Com^rs of Customs, but they were not properly judges in the case, for he was more properly an officer of the Secretaries of State, his services being only known to them, there being no other such office in the kingdom, except Mr. Manly, on the coast of Sussex, who had 20s. a day allowance; it could not be thought a precedent for any other officer of the Customs, to pretend to the same augmentation; he had proposed this purely as a subsistence, which his allowance of 60l. a year had not afforded him, he being obliged to keep a servant and two horses; praying their Lordships to grant his request [without stating what his request was]. Minuted:—“Read 26 Feb. '96. My Lords will not augment the sallary, but if there be extra^ry service done their Lo^ps will reward it some other way.” 1 page.
[? About Feb. 26.]	53. Report of Mr. Isaac Newton and Mr. Tho. Hall to the Lords of the Treasury. They had considered the proposals (fn. 1) of Mr. Peter Floyer and Mr. Charles Shales for receiving the hammered money and delivering the full weight in standard silver, deducting 8 grains for a recompence out of every ounce troy, which is 12¼d. ½ farthing in every pound weight. The charges for that service on the pound weight would be 7½ and ½ farthing. Minuted:—“Read 26 Feb. '96. To be showd to M^r Floye & M^r Shales the pet^rs.” 1 page.
Feb. 27.	54. Letter of the Navy Board to William Lowndes, Esq., secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, sending a copy of a letter from Com^r Greenhill, in which one was enclosed, complaining of irregularities and abuses in the New Forest; praying him to communicate the same to the notice of the Lords of the Treasury: Also reminding him of their several letters, for procuring their Lordships' order, for some oak trees from that forest, for the navy at Portsmouth. Dated 27 Feb. 1696. Also the said copy of the letter. Minuted:—“Read March 1, '96. To be d[elivere]d to Ser^t Ryly.” 2¼ pages.
Feb. 27.	55. Copy of an order from the Com^rs of [Customs] to James Isaacson, Esq., the King's warehouse keeper in the port of London, for the delivery up of the goods being part of the lading of the ship St. Peter, prize, given on the perusal of a letter from the Com^rs for Prizes and the memorial of Mr. Underdown, the officer who seized the same. Dated 27 Feb. 1696–7. Accompanied by the copies of the letter and memorial. Parts of 3 pages.
March 1.	56. Letter transmitted from the Admiralty to Mr. Lowndes, sending extracts of a letter received by that board from Mr. Knox, saying that he cannot have leave to fell any knees, standards, and other timber, for the service of the navy, in the forfeited woods in Ireland; asking the orders of the Lords of the Treasury to be given thereon. Dated 1 March 1696. The said extracts. 2¼ pages.
March 1.	57. Letter from Sir Willm. Trumbull [Principal Secretary of State], to the Lords of the Treasury, which enclosed a memorial of Mr. Edwd. Pauncefort, concerning the payment of bills of 2,000l. sent to him by Mr. William Robinson, Deputy Receiver of Ireland, for sea provisions for the fleet; for their Lordships to give directions to the Com^rs for Victualling the Navy to repay the said 2,000l. Dated 1 March 1696. Minuted:—“To be taken care of.” The memorial, signifying that the Lords Justices had commanded the above Mr. William Robinson to furnish money and draw bills for what he should pay to Mr. Hoare, agent to the Com^rs for Victualling the Navy; accordingly he had paid in December 2,000l., and drawn bills, and he desired that directions might be given for the payment of the bills and for repaying him what he had advanced, being over 5,000l. Dated 24 Feb. 1696. 2 pages.
March 1.	58. Report of the Postmasters General to the King, on the petition of Johanna Oxembridge, expressing their belief that Mr. Clement Oxembridge and his partners were instrumental in reducing the postage of letters from 6d. to 3d., and in establishing new posts where none had been before; further stating that the petitioner's husband was afterwards employed in the Penny Post Office and was allowed 60l. per ann. out of an augmentation to some other officers' salaries, which they were contented should be continued to the petitioner for her life, hoping they should afterwards enjoy the same. Accompanied by the petition. Minuted:—“Rec^d 12 May '97. To speak w^th ye Post M^rs when they next attend my L^ds. To be laid before my L^ds at a full board [when] both the Post M^rs are present.” 4 pages.
March 2.	59. Report of the Com^rs of Excise, addressed to the Lords of the Treasury, as to the return of money by Mr. Winde, collector of Excise in the county of Gloucester, who was charged with ill practices, finding that he returned part of his money by Mr. Webb, of Gloucester, and allowed him 5s. in the 100l., and since then, he had returned by Mr. Wintour 7,756l., &c. Dated 2 March 1696–7. Minuted:—“Read 18 May '97. The Com^rs of Excise will enquire further.” 1 page.
March 2.	60. Letter from the Board of Ordnance to the Lords of the Treasury. The 10,000l. ordered for the supply of the contractors in Flanders, for the ensuing campaign, came so near to the end of the fund (the land tax) that no one would discount the tallies; and unless they had better provision, the King would be disappointed, and all the preparations in Flanders would be ineffectual. Dated 2 March 1696. The following entry is in the Minute Book, Vol. VII., p. 96, 3 March 1696:— “The King accepts the proposall of 10 guil. 10 stivers at sight, offered by Sir Jos. Hern, to disc^t tallys for the Ordnance at 26^li per cent.; but my Lords will speake with the officers of the Ordnance on Friday; a łre to them.” There is also this further minute in relation to the same matter at p. 97:— “Officers of Ordnance cald in, about discounting the tallys for 10,000^l for the traine in Fland^rs. This affaire must be defered till next post, because my Lords will receive the King's positive direction, before they allow so great a disc^t as 26 or 27½ per c., & in the mean time, they may gett m^o advanced (if they can) by depositing the tallys.” 1 page.
March 3.	61. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland, to the Lords of the Treasury. Mr. Baron Donnellan, one of the Com^rs for the custody of the great seal of that kingdom, had presented a certificate of the Com^rs of the Revenue and forfeitures in Ireland, as to the discovery of the forfeited estates of Hugh Kelly, of Ballyforin, and James Lally, of Tullandaly, mentioned in a schedule annexed, as also a lease for 1,000 years to Col. Walter Bourke, of Killcooly, and the Baron claimed a further discovery made by Mr. John Usher in trust for him of a forfeited mortgage of 1,000l. on the lands of Ballylee, &c., enclosing the Com^rs certificate and schedule, and expressing their opinion in favour of his being allowed one-fourth of the value of the discovery, &c. Dated 3 March 1696. The certificate and schedule referred to the petition of the said Donnellan. Also copies of two warrants. 15 pages.
March 3.	62. Presentment by the Com^rs of Customs, to the Lords of the Treasury, praying for a remission of the taxes on behalf of officers of the Customs receiving less than 60l. per ann. Dated 3 March 1696. Minuted:—“Granted, but to take care that no paym^t be made, but where there is a voucher for ye paym^t of ye tax.” 1 page.
March 3.	63. Letter from the Board of Ordnance to William Lowndes, Esq., Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury, sending another paper entitled—“Proposalls for discompting talleys struck up on the land tax after 12 and before 1,300,000l. and remittance for Flanders.” Dated 3 March 1696. Parts of 2 pages.
March 4.	64. Report of the Com^rs of Customs, to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Thomas Stevenson, merchant, praying to be admitted to compound his debt, pursuant to a late Act of Parliament; advising that he was relievable by their Lordships. Dated 4 March 1696–7. Also the petition and a certificate. 3 pages
March 4.	65. Letter by command of the Lords of the Admiralty to Mr. Lowndes, sending copies of letters received by the principal officers of the Navy, from their purveyor in the New Forest; as to the waste of the woods there; and further setting forth that the Navy Board had stated that for want of money their standing contracts must fail, the works at the yards must stand still, &c.: asking for speedy relief. Dated 4 March '96–7. Also the said copies. 3 pages.
March 5.	66. Letter by command of the Lords of the Admiralty to Mr. Lowndes, sending a copy of a letter from the Com^rs of the Victualling, as to the want of money, without which they saw no prospect of setting out the fleet; and also the copy of another letter from Capt. Wade, commander of the ship “The Crown,” as to the scarcity of provisions, they having but one day's bread and meat, &c. Dated 5 March '96–7. Also the said copies. 2 pages and 2 halves.
[? About March 5.]	67. A memorial setting forth Mr. Macky's services, viz.:—In 1692 he made the first discovery of the descent designed by the French from “Le Houge,” and procured a list of the forces designed for that expedition. On his information, Admiral Russel went out and burnt the French Fleet, which Lord Rumny, then Secretary of State, and Mr. Secretary Johnson, would declare to be true. In 1693 he seized Mr. Francis le Rue at Harwich, coming from France, with credentials from K. James; and some time after Mrs. Aldridge with 112 letters in a double-bottomed box, all written from St. Germains, whom with several others, he sent up prisoners with their papers, to Mr. Secretary Trenchard. He wrote and published a book called “A View of the Coast of St. Germains,” some time before “the discovery of the assassination,” which His Majesty was pleased to think did him service, and ordered Lord Rumny to give him thanks for it. He had seized several persons and intercepted many letters going to and coming from France, to which the Duke of Shrewsbury and Mr. Secretary Trumbull would testify. All these services he had done without reward, but now prayed their Lordships, to whom his case was referred, to resolve on something for his relief. Minuted:—“Read 5 March 1696. My Lords cannot give him ready mony, but when there is a vacancy they will consider him for a better imploym^t.” Accompanied by a copy. 2 pages.
March 6.	68. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, relating to Mr. Ivie and Mr. Arthur, merchants of Exeter, and Mr. Orchard, customer and collector of that port, viz.: as to the payment of 4,669l., for which the said collector refused to give them credit. Dated 6 March 1696–7. Minuted:—“22 Mar. '96. My Lords desire the Com^rs to give such direction as they think necessary at present.” Also the petition and a balance sheet. 14½ pages.
March 9.	69. Letter from Sir William Trumbull to the Lords of the Treasury. The King's pleasure was that the request of one Edward Lloyd should be granted. He petitioned for the grant of a recognizance for 200l. entered into by Francis Walker and John Challener, as sureties for the good behaviour of Robert Leesons, until he should take the oaths to His Majesty, which recognizance had been forfeited by the conviction of “Leeson” at the Old Bailey, for speaking scandalous words against the King and Government. Dated 9 March 1696–7. Accompanied by the petition and a certificate. The petition is minuted:—“15 Nov. '96. Granted. 16 Ap. '97. Rejected. M^r Baker to recover it for ye K.” 2¼ pages.
March 9.	70. Copy of warrant from the Lords of the Treasury, to Sir Robert Howard, Knt., Auditor of the Receipt of the Exchequer, for the passing debentures for payment of Walter Wallinger and Thomas Cole, Secondaries in the Pipe Office, for 40l. due to them for two years, viz., 10l. a year each. Dated 9 March 1696. With a note at the foot that the warrant was to be drawn for 25l. instead of 65l. 1 page.
March 11.	71. Letter by command of the Lords of the Admiralty to Mr. Lowndes, sending a copy of a letter received by them from the principal Officers of the Navy, as to their want of money, and another from the Com^rs of Victualling, stating that they could not go on with provisioning the fleet without a speedy supply of money. Dated 11 March '96–7. Copies of the said letters, one of which contains an enclosure, 5½ pages.
March 11.	72. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting the petition of William Spencer, Esq., and the report of the Com^rs of the Revenue in Ireland; concurring in the recommendation of the report, that the petitioner deserved the King's favour for his losses and services, his house and estate in the co. of Cork having been burnt and wasted in the late rebellion. He sought to obtain a grant of the estate of Hugolin Spencer, who was outlawed for high treason. Dated 11 March 1696–7. A list of the lands sought, two affidavits, the said petition, and other papers. The petition is minuted:—“20 Apr. '97. Granted.” 11 pages.
[? About March 12.]	73. Petition of Henry Colchester, land-waiter in the port of London, to the Lords of the Treasury, praying to be appointed a jerquer, as by his affliction of the “tissick” he was not so well able to perform the duty of his employment as formerly. Dated 12 March 1696–7. Minuted:—“My Lords will consider him on the next vacancy of a land surveyor or jerquer.” 1 page.
March 12.	74. Report of Lord Ranelagh to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Isaac Teale, Jonathan Leigh, Robert Gower, Edward Harle, and James Anderson, apothecaries, for payment of 5,888l. 2s. 2d. due for drugs and medicines supplied to the army and hospitals in Flanders in the year 1696. Dated 12 March 1696. Minuted:—“20 Ap. '97. To my L^d Ran. & M^r B. to insert so much for you on the C. List now making, as will enable them to go on w^th ye service. 4 May 1697. My Lords allow onely the sum of 4,836l. 12s. 5d., and disallow the rest.” Also the petition. 2½ pages.
March 13.	75. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, respecting the list of lands of Roger O'Shaghnassy forfeited in Ireland, which the King was “inclinable to grant to Capt. Thomas Prendergrasse.” Dated 13 March 1696–7. Report of the Com^rs of Revenue in Ireland to the Lords Justices of Ireland, as to the full yearly value of the annexed list of lands, to be granted to Capt. Thomas Prendergrass, and the number of acres; together with the encumbrances. The lands were of those forfeited by Roger O'Shaghnessey, and contained 2,709 acres, lying in the barony of Kiltarton and county of Galway, and were of the full yearly value of 457l. for 31 years lease; but were subject to encumbrance, &c., and they add other particulars about this O'Shaghnessey property. Dated 10 March 1696–7. Also the said list. 5½ pages.
March 15.	76. Papers respecting certain goods belonging to the late Queen Mary, which were lodged in His Majesty's removing wardrobe, in the custody of Mr. Peter Humes, being of the value of 1,000l. and upwards, ordered to be sold. The papers include the petition of John Ford, gent., touching the seizure of these goods belonging to the wardrobe of the late Queen, and secreted from the crown. One Mrs. Scroope set up a title to them, but she appears not to have substantiated it. The principal document is a letter (dated 15 March 1696–7), signed “Peter Hume,” enclosing an account of the goods seized. [In the inventory of the goods is:—“Queen Eliza^ths Latin prayer booke in crimson velvet, adorned with gold, enamelled, at y^e corners and on y^e midle of y^e cover, valued at 10s.”]. Minuted:—“Read 19 Mar. '96. The seizors to have a moiety of 580l. 6s. 1d., and M^r Humes to reserve the rest for ye K.s use.” 9 pages or parts.
March 15.	77. Letter from the Board of Ordnance to the Lords of the Treasury. The contractors in Flanders would not bring one horse into the field without they were paid their last year's arrears, viz., 9,544l. and an advance of 17,600l. for that year's contract; they hoped for 6,000l. for three months' pay for the officers of the train, who were most of them in a starving condition. A postscript states, that their Lordships had promised 3,000l. tallies, to enable them to proceed in the expedition to Newfoundland, but no one would discount them under 50l. per cent., “and persons are now very shy in treating about the discomp^t of any talleys.” Dated 15 March 1696–7. 1 page.
March 15.	78. Letter from Sir William Trumbull to the Lords of the Treasury. The petition of Lady Dorothy Burke, the report of the Lords Justices upon it, and other papers relating thereto, had been laid before the King, who appeared disposed to gratify the petitioner in her request. He sends the papers for their Lordships' report thereon. Dated 15 March 1696–7. [The papers not now with it.] Minuted:—“My Lords will take ye K^s pleasure in this.” 1 page (quarto).